Guatemala, heartland of the Maya, is a jewel of Central America. Although overshadowed by its larger northern neighbour, Guatemala feels very different from Mexico. Antigua was once the capital of Spanish Central America. Its location in a valley surrounded by seven volcanos, three of them active, ensured the city was blessed with fertility but came at a heavy toll. The city was repeatedly flattened by earthquakes and eruptions. Eventually the Spanish relocated their capital to the safer location of Guatemala city leaving the ruins ... (more)